New Public Health Administrator for Winnebago County Health Department Named

WINNEBAGO COUNTY (WIFR) -- The Winnebago County Board of Health has announced that on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 Dr. Sandra Martell will become the new Public Health Administrator for the Winnebago County Health Department. Dr. Martell is replacing Mike Bacon who retired in May after serving as the Winnebago County Health Department Public Health Administrator for the past 17 years.

"We, the Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) Board, feel both excited and fortunate to announce Dr. Martell's arrival to our community. Dr. Martell's knowledge in the fields of medicine and public health combined with visionary leadership capabilities guided by her vast experience will be a tremendous asset to the Winnebago County area,” said Steven Lidvall, M.D., President of the Winnebago County Board of Health.

“I am very excited to join the Winnebago County Health Department and to continue to advance the public health priorities established during Mike Bacon’s tenure. I look forward to working with the dedicated and professional staff of WCHD to serve the residents of Winnebago County,” said Dr. Sandra Martell.

Dr. Martell comes to the WCHD with over 25 years of public health experience including recently serving as the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), Interim Chief Operating Officer (COO). As the Interim Chief Operating Officer for the Cook County Department of Public Health, Dr. Martell and her 300 public health staff members provided services to over 2.6 million people. She was instrumental in • Implementing a 5 year agency strategic plan to address local public health concerns• Developing budgets and grant applications to support strategic initiatives• Initiating the process for national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) for the CCDPH• Establishing internal quality controls relative to outcome and performance management• Developing protocols and systems for emergency preparedness

Prior to serving as Interim COO, Dr. Martell served as the Director of Integrated Health Support Services and Chief Nursing Officer within CCDPH.

Dr. Martell holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice, and a Master of Science Degree in Public Health Nursing / Family Nurse Practitioner, from the University of Illinois at Chicago, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Loyola University of Chicago.

Dr. Sandra Martell will only be the third Public Health Administrator for the Department since 1971 when the City of Rockford Health Department and the Winnebago County Health Department merged to become one agency.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.